An old maxim has it that: "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world."

This is all too true, as we well know, but how has the world been ruled? How is it being ruled today? What is the outlook of future generations?

Are mothers themselves proud of their sovereignty? Are they satisfied with the results of their achievements?

Women rule through the men they have brought into the world, not by being career women; not by winning honors in social, political or national affairs.

That the world has been, is being, badly ruled, no one will deny. In fairness to women, we must admit that this is not wholly woman's fault. TOO LONG SHE HAS BEEN KEPT IN IGNORANCE OF THE STRONGEST FORCE OF HEAVEN AND EARTH - A FORCE THAT, ONCE IN HER POSSESSION, WILL ENABLE HER TO RULE, PROUDLY GLORIOUSLY, MAGNIFICENTLY. This force is CORRECT KNOWLEDGE.

Once woman awakens to the realization that BY CAREFULLY PLANNING AND RIGHTLY CHOOSING, PLUS CONTINUED APPLICATION OF DESIRE AND EFFORT, SHE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING "MENTAL GIANTS" INTO THE WORLD, EVIL WILL DISSOLVE ITSELF AND "SILENTLY SLINK INTO THE NIGHT."

THIS SHALL BE WOMAN'S GREATEST HERITAGE: TO GIVE BIRTH TO NOBLE MANHOOD - MAN FASHIONED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD; FULFILLING HIS SUBLIME POSSIBILITIES.
|Top|

Time was when the world was in need of men - any kind of men. Time is now when the world is in need of real men; choice men; strong men; honorable men; men with vision; men who see the need of action; right action that will benefit, not the few, but all who deserve it, and who are willing to do all in their power to make this great, beautiful world a really fitting place to live in.

This idea of the need of real men is not something new; something which we have only now begun to realize. It is an age-old idea; the Biblical writers were conscious of it and many of the world's great women - great, not because of birth or intellect, but because they had a glimpse of the vision - dreamed of becoming the mothers of such men.

Men, thinkers, have burned the mid-night oil in their studies, seeking ways and means to help women do what they themselves were unable to do: to find a way that women with ideals might follow and bring into the world a generation of giants; giants not in physical strength, but of honor and with the Will to achieve; unselfish men, strong men, men also with vision; the vision of a regenerate humanity.

In this little text we do not propose to deal with personalities; nevertheless we must give a thought to those who, mostly unnamed, sought, suffered and experimented to find the via dolorosa whereby women, an ever-increasing number, might realize their dream of bringing perfect men into the world by means of what science knows as stirpiculture - that is, by pre-conception, prenatal culture.

Towering among these men who labored, wrote text after text and led many women to achieve their desire, was P. B. Randolph, M.D., and to him in whose foot-steps we also have followed, we give all credit.

Almost all of that contained herein was written by him, perhaps in different words and terms, by others who also followed him and by ourselves, during our fifty years of experience. No originality whatever is claimed or pretended.

Our one thought is to present to the millions of women who seek to become mothers and have thus far failed, a simple, workable means of success.

To other uncounted thousands who are not readily able to conceive, we offer the equally simple means whereby they may realize their fondest dream of giving birth to the perfect child; perfect physically, mentally and spiritually; this last equally important, if not more so, than the perfect physique.

This can be accomplished by the double means of following a truly natural and normal life, and in addition, the active employment by the mother-to-be of her God-given creative or impressive ability, that is, impressing inner desires upon the child-to-be. This actually amounts to heart prayers to God, so strong, so continuous, as to resemble the printing press, which stamps an impression - an impression which had its beginning in the thoughts and desires of man -- upon a blank sheet of prepared paper and it becomes a bank note, good as gold and silver in exchange.

The body of the child in formation is this blank sheet of paper; the life led by the pregnant woman is the preparation of that paper, and, lastly the greatest of all, her thoughts and desires, held in her heart and Soul, stamp that prepared body with what she wishes it to become.

IN THESE FEW WORDS ARE CONTAINED THE SECRET OF STIRPICULTURE(*) OR PRENATAL CULTURE. It is simplicity itself, though not so easily observed, because it is SOMETHING TO BE LIVED, NOT MERELY THOUGHT OF. But, as in the instance cited at the end of the book, if woman really desires a perfect child, she will be willing to "follow through," and she will find herself repaid a thousand-fold, and the blessings upon her and her offspring will be untold.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) Stiriculture: The art of Science of improving a stock or the race by observing strict laws of mating, breeding, feeding; and, in the case of mankind, the governing and directing of thoughts, feelings, desires and emotions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The cold scientist and the materialist may laugh in scorn at the ideas advanced; nevertheless, every stock breeder is fully aware that there are means and methods which, if followed, perfect the breed. He is also fully aware that feed is of primary importance to the well-being of live-stock and that careless feeding will quickly bring undesirable results. He knows full-well that proper housing, that is, environment, is of vital importance and, finally, that proper mating combined with favorable impressions can produce miraculous results.

These facts have been proven time and again. It is also recognized by cold, scientific Psychologists, that though much is known of the dynamic power of the human mind and Will, we have not even begun to sound the depth of its force. Why then deny the assertion of those who have given the subject life-long study and who are convinced that the thought, Will and desire of the mother has the power to impress her forming child with the power of good or ill?

We have in our favor, or in favor of the instructions advanced, two powerful factors. These are, first of all, a science proven by long and actual experience of those engaged in this great work of borning a greater and more perfect humanity. These men base all of their conclusions on scientific records covering a continuous period of more than an hundred years. We submit that there is no truer science than experience.

The proof of such experiences are all embodied in the carefully-kept records of these workers in "the Lord's vine-yard of a better humanity."

The second factor is of a material-spiritual concept. It is the story in Genesis relative to Jacob and his sheep:

"And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chestnut tree; and peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.

"And he set the rods which he had pealed before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.

"And the flocks conceived before the rods, and BROUGHT FORTH CATTLE RING-STREAKED, SPECKLED AND SPOTTED" Genesis 30:37, 38, 39.

Yes, we are fully aware that materialism is on the rampage throughout the world, but pitted against this same materialism is the indestructible inner spiritual feeling resident within the hearts of Women. Cold science cannot destroy this, especially not in the hearts of those multitudes of women still so womanly that they can dream and vision themselves becoming the mothers of the perfect child. It is for these we speak; for these we prepared the instructions contained in this volume.

The examples of prenatal influences are cited merely to prove the influence of the habits of life: the fact that the thoughts and the desires of the pregnant woman may have a powerful effect upon the future life of her child, and to show her that it is as easy for her to bear a god in embryo as it is to bring forth a devil. Is this statement not borne out by the same Bible to which we have referred:

"And now the sons of men have become gods."

How could they change their human origin into that of becoming gods, if the foundation had not been carefully laid in their mother's womb?

DO YOU REALLY DESIRE TO BECOME THE MOTHER OF A PERFECT CHILD?

You, and you alone can, and must answer this question. If this is your desire, then this volume outlines the means and methods, simple but potent, which, if followed, will make your dream a reality.

Sincerely Given,

R. SWINBURNE CLYMER

|Top|

An unknown author has well written: "God gave woman the ability and privilege to bear children so that she might become a co-creator with Him and share the glory of motherhood with Him."(1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) This is well and beautifully told in the many stories woven around Mary, the mother of the Nazarene. In all history, where will you find any man, however great he may have been, or how widely honored, who is so deeply venerated as this mother of the man who manifested Godhood?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Another author, equally unknown, has just as truthfully said: A mothers' hands may be too tired to hold a torch on high to glorify herself, but never too tired to light the candle in the nursery."

Prenatal culture - Stirpiculture - preparation for a child before conception and during all of gestation - is almost as little understood as are the laws governing creation itself.

Very few understand, or have given thought to the fact that in a little germ or sperm - the Spermatozoon - so small that thousands are contained in a drop of liquid and to be seen only by the aid of a powerful microscope is contained the ego, the entire picture or plan of the future man. Few mothers, or those who expect to become mothers, fully realize that a child's education and training must begin before birth, if it is to attain to its highest degree of mental, physical and spiritual development.

Despite the universal lack of knowledge on this all-important subject, the child's education, whether for good or ill, began generations ago - began with the ego's beginning, and is merely RE-commenced in the life of those who are to become its present parents.

A child is far more than something that merely grows. Few recognize this truth and because they do not, suffering comes to the child, and through the child, to the parents and the State. Children are usually conceived with little or no thought. If conception receives consideration at all, it is usually with the thought of aversion, and this is the source of all the evils of the world.

If conceived despite all precaution, or, to be fair, even with desire, little or no thought is given to the new creature prior to birth. It just grows, and may the Lord help it in the manner of its growth.

The devout mother-to-be has her trust in God, but unfortunately, this trust in God without preparation on her part is much like the Biblically-frowned-upon "faith without works" which, as the Biblical narrative has it, "is dead."(2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) In all fairness to womankind generally, the blame does not rest with them, but is due to the general ignorance on the subject and the lack of literature dealing with this most-important phase of life. A recent canvass of various libraries in one of our large cities failed to locate a single text dealing with the problem.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|Top|

Humanity as a whole, fathers, mothers and legislatures, should be brought to a high degree of consciousness that a child is more than something that just "grows," "becomes," or "is." One child may be born with the power to either destroy or to regenerate a nation, if not a world.

Today, as through countless ages, the seeds which produce these children are just thrown broadcast, without preparation of the "ground" in which they are sown; without a thought of what they will become or what they might be; though in some instances there is a more or less sincere trust in God.

Mankind, especially educators, priests, ministers, and those who have the welfare of man in mind, should be willing to give just a little serious thought to this most important of all subjects.

Anyone having a knowledge of Divine Law should quickly recognize that God, having given man free Will, will not and cannot, interfere with the working out of His own Laws for the perpetuation of the race.

Parents are responsible for: (a) properly preparing themselves for parenthood; (b) arranging proper conditions and environments; (c) living properly as regards rest, food, exercise, and especially mental attitudes and emotional stresses; (d) recognizing the fact that impressions during pregnancy shape the destiny of offspring for the food or ill of themselves and the nation as a whole.

It is seldom that a mother-to-be actually realizes her awful responsibility in this regard. If she has even a little knowledge of the subject, just think of the fact that this little knowledge may enable her to bring a highly talented Soul into the world, instead of a failure or ne'er do well.

It is necessary to admit with shame that prospective mothers by and large, give far more thought and time to the selection of the wardrobe for the prospective child than to the preparation of its physical, mental and moral equipment and character. By her LOVE, EXPECTATION AND PLANNING for the child's expectant sixty or eighty years of life, she can perform miracles in the upliftment of mankind.

A child has the right to infinitely more than shelter, food and clothing - selected, not actually for the child's comfort, as a rule, but as a showpiece to display before friends and neighbors; well and desirable in itself, but actually no more than a side issue.

It must be generally admitted that if ever there is to be a real reformation - the re-form-a-tion of the world; if ever the millennium of purity, chastity, righteousness (right-ness), and supreme peace - sometimes known as happiness- are to be achieved on this earth, it will result from correctly - wisely and rationally - directed parental laws.

Napoleon must have had this in mind, for he is given credit for having said: "If you would reform the world of its vices and errors, begin by enlisting the aid of the mothers."
|Top|

The destiny of the individual, hence of the nation, of the race itself, depends upon the mother and the prenatal conditions arranged for her child. In the propagation of the species, if undertaken knowingly and understandingly, the father and mother, working harmoniously in conjunction one with the other, can do more toward fostering the reforms so urgently and sorely needed, than can all the temperance, vice and reform societies, religious denominations and corrective (after birth) institutions in the world.

A CHILD DESIRABLY CONCEIVED, WISELY NURTURED IN THE BOSOM OF THE MOTHER-TO-BE AND GUARDED BY THE LOVE BETWEEN FATHER AND MOTHER, WILL NEVER GO WRONG AND CANNOT BE LED ASTRAY. If there is a God there must be a Law; if there is a Law, then it certainly follows that "everything is after its kind; the fruits of a good tree, well-husbanded, cannot be of a bitter nature." If this were not true, there would be no "God of Love," and the Laws governing the earth and mankind would be an illusion and a mockery.

Woman, if true to her feminine nature, is an advance over man; not because of her beauty, her accomplishments or the nature of her love when correctly awakened, BUT BECAUSE SHE POSSESSES THE WOMB, the laboratory wherein are fashioned the millions of denizens to inhabit the world; where she cooperates with or is an assistant to God in the formation and final completion of a human creature.

She must be an artist, a willing assistant if, from an uncertain beginning, she is to mold that new form and bring into being a perfect specimen of the human race. Nevertheless, she can do it, if she possesses the Will and the patience to perfect the work under her care.

Pre-generation(3) is far more important than any possible after-education. The manner in which children are conceived and brought to birth predetermines to a vast degree their moral and immoral inclinations, talents, mental capacities, possibilities, abilities, state of health and even longevity.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Everything done by both parents in preparation for conception and all that is done during the period of gestation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

A fundamental error is found in the idea that all children are born much alike; that the only agency in bringing about the difference between boy and boy, girl and girl, are the result of application and moral effort; the direction by outside influences. There is nothing in Sacred writings, or in philosophy, sacred or profane, or in the teachings of basic science, which would indicate that God, or if you prefer, the Divine Law, holds all men responsible in like degree.

There is no such actuality as natural equality for the very good reason that men are not equally born - with LIKE mental and physical equipment - nor with like loves, hatreds, the Will to do, or the deadly inertia not to do. Of a truth, men are differently conceived; differently nurtured, differently born; and, to an equal degree, differently educated and guided.

All experiences of men, from the nurseries to the universities - whether universities of formal education or practical, hard knocks - refute such a concept. It is necessary to willingly, aye, gladly, acknowledge the mighty power of education and social influence in the development of the human mind, just as it is admitted that exercise in any direction or of any part of the body or faculty brings about development, but, and this is uncontradictable, THERE MUST BE SOMETHING TO BE DEVELOPED; there must be a moral fiber on which to build the moral life, the mental equipment, latent or active, to bring a genius into manifestation.

The child born of vicious stock, irrespective of how hard he tries, will have a most difficult task developing into a spiritual leader governed by spiritual instincts. The environments may bring about a mental revulsion or reaction and cause such a child to become active in a manner totally contrary to the manner of birth and the initial environment. This we willingly acknowledge; BUT IT IS THE EXCEPTION, NOT THE RULE. Such experiences OFFER HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT EVEN TO THOSE BORN UNDER THE MOST DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS. The child born into a careless shiftless family finds it far more difficult to become an Edison or a Steinmetz, than one who sees the light of day in a well-regulated family; but the Possibility of its supper-development does exist.
|Top|

The old family Bible has become a much-derided book in this age of modernism, jazz and the decline of honor in man's word, but we nevertheless turn to it for some of our examples.

Who, having studied that book of books, is unfamiliar with the story of Hagar and her son Ishmael, the evil genius, founder of the Ishmaelites,(4) "whose hand was against every man." The character of the man, the manner of his life, his every thought and act, were the visible incarnation of his mother's, Hagar's hatred and bitterness of mind, during her period of gestation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Ishmael, a symbolization of resentment, bitterness and malice. -----------------------------------------------------------------------
During this period she was not God's assistant in the creation of His image, but personified destructiveness; the gall and vinegar of the human Soul, lacking even a semblance of the honey of love which should govern woman's heart and Soul and temper her thoughts, desires and feelings, during this period of life's greatest and deepest moments.

Ishmael`s malicious and resentful nature and the ferociousness of the Ishmaelites - both his followers and progeny, throughout the history of that nation - is an example of the force and power of the influences released by the feelings of the mother-to-be upon the child she carries within that inmost laboratory. It is an illustration of the manner in which prenatal laws operate, even though unconsciously, on the part of the mother with the child.
|Top|

Hannah, the mother of Samuel, offers an unusual contrast. Who, believing there are Laws of God, Laws that govern in all things, both great and small, will believe for a moment that Hannah's holy vows, vows which were the result of her inward feelings, her devout piety, while she was enceinte with Samuel - who will believe that this love in her heart had nothing to do with Samuel`s nature and the manner of his life? If it did not, then why make Hannah the symbol of piety, holiness to the Lord and, above all, love for the child within her bosom? Why is this so strongly dwelt upon?
|Top|

Why did the Lord not select a woman of vicious nature, a neurotic, or an emotionally unstable woman for the mother of the Nazarene; His chosen messenger of a new age to the people? Was not the graciousness of all womenkind, of all motherhood, condensed in Mary's one statement: My soul doth magnify [glorify] the Lord."
|Top|

The familiar statement, a "self-made man" is, with few exceptions, a misnomer. If a man does not possess the qualities, received from either one or both parents, necessary to success, transmitted to him, he cannot or perhaps more correctly, he will not - rise above the characteristics of the mediums of his birth. Certain essential characteristics must predominate, among them: ambition, stability, concentrated effort, and above all, Will power.
|Top|

The exceptions must be recognized. The life of the parents, the environments of birth, and the associations, may exert such an influence upon one unfortunately born, as to bring about, first, resentment, and then, an iron determination that he WILL prove his life to be exactly the opposite to that of his parents, contrary and greatly improved over his early environments and associates. Wonderful improvements are possible when a man rebels against his condition in life and DETERMINES TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
|Top|

The inertia of Lincoln's father, the kindliness of his mother, brought about such a revolution as we have just mentioned, and a new determination was born in Lincoln: "I will show them!" This determination was not directed against his parents, but to the people of the community in general.

Napoleon was another such example, though in him the selfish trait finally became manifest.

Theodore Roosevelt, born physically weak, manifested this same power of the "I-will-show-them!"

These are exceptions, and in all of them, the trait of kindliness, of physical strength, or of selfishness, can be traced.

In each instance the child inherited a general aptitude for some special activity; the brain being fashioned by the thoughts, desires and the blood of the mother, though it might also have been imbedded in the ego part of the germ (spermatozoon) which was the beginning of the new creature.

In the ultimate, the "self-made" man may be but an indication of a worked out plan (by the Law) and a developed quality transmitted to the unborn infant, vide reincarnation; potentialities, possibilities, even certainties, all modified or strengthened by what we roughly term prenatal influence.

There are those we may rightly class as "self-made," because they had an idea and they concentrated their entire energy and time upon bringing that idea into fulfillment, permitting nothing to interfere in such an effort. Some of these became great as a result of an inborn unbendable Will, which merely required proper development. This is entirely possible if the mental ideal is of sufficient strength.

Such men must be given full credit and may rightly be held up as examples to those who, born weakly and unfortunately, possess an ideal, an all-devouring desire to achieve. Such uncontradictable proof that all men may rise to worthwhile accomplishments,despite the misfortunes of birth, IF THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE, READY TO MAKE THE EFFORT, and continue to do so until success crowns their activity. These, as previously mentioned, are the exception and lend encouragement to all. It is better, however, if all men are to "the manner born," thus better able to take their rightful place in a better world.
|Top|

Many of the world's recognized men were not in fact, as the world supposes, self-made. Alexander-the-Great is given credit for being one of the greatest geniuses. HE WAS ACTUALLY BORN GREAT. His genius manifested itself at the moment boyhood changed into manhood and he became personally responsible.

He may be considered as the Soul of a near-genius who required only a rebirth for his genius to become manifested, and in this the prenatal desire of perhaps both father and mother, or at least one of them, was demonstrated. When but sixteen, he governed Macedonia while his father was absent. At twenty he succeeded to the throne; then began his career of conquest. He died at thirty-two; the flower had turned to seed; his destiny was fulfilled.

His father, Philip II of Macedonia, was an illustrious general and statesman; possessing a magnificent physique; a commanding presence; eloquent of speech and wise in the command of men. Olympias, the mother of Alexander, was an ardent enthusiast ["Enthusiasts are the Ambassadors of God."--Randolph], possessing strong passion. It is but natural that two such people should ardently desire to bring into the world a mighty SOUL. DESIRE IS A MOST POWERFUL PRENATAL INFLUENCE; AN INFLUENCE SO GREAT THAT LITTLE, IF ANYTHING CAN SWAY OR TURN IT ASIDE, and those possessed of such a desire generally live and act accordingly.
|Top|

Referring again to Napoleon as an example: His mother was an ardent student of history. The stories of history filled her mind, hence governed her desires. She accompanied her husband, not an extraordinary soldier, in the wars of Italy. Naturally, her prayers were that her son should not be an ordinary, but an EXTRAordinary soldier; a commander of men.

She rode for hours daily during her pregnancy; sat by the campfires and listened to the tales of heroism, and the plans for battle. All of these forces played in her mind; fired her imagination, gave birth to great imaginings for her child, and impressed that child with all the experiences and passions of the world of war.

In many respects, most of the truly great men resembled their mothers in temperament and adaptability. It has been said, and accepted as a truism, that it requires a great woman to become a superior mother, to produce a great son. This is actually a fallacy unless, when we say "a great woman," we have in mind a woman truly great because of her kindliness of Soul; the generosity of her spirit; the motherliness of her heart; the feeling of compassion for all who suffer or have been misled.

It is such as these who are truly great; not those whose intellect competes with that of man; whose desire is for dominion in politics or business; who seek to govern by force instead of by love and feeling, kindness and graciousness.

Only those are truly great who love deeply and unselfishly; serve with joy; who rejoice in the mothering of men and who, deep within their innermost being, actually feel that woman's greatest destiny is to be, first of all, a sweetheart; second, a good wife; third, a good housewife; forth, a good mother; fifth, a good grandmother, and lastly, a real companion to her husband when the "sowing of the fields" is finished. If, for one of all too many reasons, she is unable to be a good mother, she can fulfil her destiny by being a good sweetheart, wife, homemaker and companion.

Old fashioned? Of course, but do not forget, it was the old fashioned women who gave the truly great men to the world and not the career-woman; the women who became bitter because of some mistake and could not, or would not, re-adjust themselves.

It remains for the truly great women, by proper training, careful preparation and lofty outlook, to "bring forth out of the waters of the deep" as the old Bible would have it, poets, inventors, statesmen, physicians and world leaders whose honor, absorbed at the breast of the mother, is so great as to be unmistakable and unsullyable.
|Top|

The secret of a mother's ability to transmit to her children any desired quality, goodness, greatness, talent, potentiality and possibility, EVEN THOUGH THE DESIRED QUALITY is NOT POSSESSED BY THE PREGNANT WOMAN, is the greatest of all the phenomena in the universe and is BASED ON HER DESIRE AND LOVE FOR THAT WHICH SHE IS ENGAGED IN CREATING. This is a mystery only because it is so simple. Few are willing to fully recognize the true facts and make use of them in an effort to bring forth beings who will reshape and regenerate the world.
|Top|

An early writer on the subject known as zeville, gives many case histories taken from real life. Here is one of exceptional interest because of the variety of results achieved by a single mother.

"A woman gave birth to four sons. The first of these was ordinary, much after the majority of men. The second was conceived after the mother had learned some of the laws governing prenatal culture and in whose heart had been born the ideal of an eloquent son, an orator.

She interested herself in the lives and orations of those truly great in the field: imagined herself in the place of the mothers who had given birth to these men. She attended lectures whenever possible, listened understandingly to great speakers, and ALWAYS HELD A DEEP DESIRE THAT HER CHILD WOULD BECOME A GREAT ORATOR. A son was born to her, and nurtured by the breast wherein there dwelt, like an ever burning light, this great desire, became a world renowned orator.

Her third son was to be an artist. While enceinte she studied art whenever she had the opportunity. She visited galleries whenever possible; she feasted her eyes on beautiful paintings and, in her innermost thoughts, was herself an artist. The son is (at this writing) one of the great painters in Europe.

For her fourth son she had in mind the career of a master architect. As with her other children, she blended her inner self, the heart and Soul, with works of architectural beauty; she never for a moment let go of her ideal; never had a doubt, but that it was to be a son who would truly be successful in the career she had mapped out for him. Her desire was fulfilled; her `dream' came true."
|Top|

Clara F. and Margaret E. were friends living in a midwestern town of some three thousand population. As is now so frequently the case, there was no resident physician, the nearest being a considerable distance away. In case of childbirth, the women depended upon the midwives.

The family of Clara F. was made up of what she described as "ordinary country people." They were honest, intelligent people with a country school education.

Her husband was a farmer without any great ambition. he wanted a family as had his father before him, but there it ended. Children were children. Some good and others not so good, but what could be done about it?

His wife, Clara F., was different. In some manner she had obtained literature dealing with race improvement and the overcoming of physical and mental weaknesses in offspring. She had become sincerely interested in the subject, being determined that if a mother did have the destiny of her offspring in her hands, SHE would do all in her power to bring superior children into the world.

As she described it, there existed in her family a decided physical handicap; the body structure was of such a nature that bones would break very easily and heal slowly; the teeth deteriorated at a very early age, and there appeared no available remedy. Consultation with a dentist was difficult and the physician(5) consulted could give her very little information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) This was at a time when physicians generally, other than "empirics," knew little of what are now known as the "organic mineral elements and the vitamins." "Empirics," physicians not governed by stereotyped formulas, depended more generally on experimentation, research and experience. The now freely acknowledged great physician. Paracelsus, was an empiric.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Clara F. did considerable reading and her desire to become the mother of superior children, both physically and mentally, had been aroused by statements in a book which she quoted in her letter to us asking for instructions:

"Any mother can, if she will, produce offspring that shall be superior to either parent, by avoiding all disagreeableness of whatever nature; by believing [active faith] she shall and will produce a superior specimen of the race, and by firmly resisting discontent anger, jealousy, hatred, and all evil [TENDENCIES] dwelling only on that which is true, beautiful and good."(6)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Eulis, by P.B. RANDOLPH, M.D., written and published in 1874. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

A second similar statement was quoted from same work:

"When a woman is pregnant, her whole desire should be that of giving to the world a perfect specimen of her maternal work, allowing nature to determine the sex; then we shall behold no more improperly constructed human beings on this fair earth of ours."

She was fully aware that she would receive no active cooperation from her husband because of his phlegmatic nature; on the other hand, he was a "good" man and an equally good husband, though in a negative sort of way. THE ENTIRE PROBLEM WAS UP TO HER.

Clara F. was instructed to have a physical "check-up," which she did, and it was found that her physical condition was excellent with the exception of what we now know as a deficiency in both minerals and vitamins. She was then instructed how to prepare herself for a period of no less than three months before pregnancy should be attempted; eating only foods known to be decidedly rich in iodine and in the organic mineral elements and vitamins, at that time known to the empiric as vital elements in the food. These instructions in every way are similar to those more completely described in the back section of this book.

She faithfully followed all the instructions. In due time, a boy was born. He was normal in every respect and developed as a normal child should. Mentally, he was decidedly bright and, at the proper age, had a beautiful set of teeth which required no attention whatever until he was fifteen years of age. he became naturally interested in athletic sports, developed a strong physical body; mentally became very brilliant; took honors in school and college, and is today highly successful in his profession and widely known.

Is should be needless to say that his mother, following the Indian traditions in that section of the country, by taking Squaw vine tea, was able to feed him at her bosom and after weaning him, continued to supply him, as well as the rest of her family, with the proper food.

Four more children were born to her; two boys and two girls, neither one of whom was cursed with bone deficiency. Each developed properly, both mentally and physically, proving to her the absolute truthfulness of the statements she had read and which pointed out to her the Road to Health and Happiness.

Margaret E. being a close friend to Clara F., had an entirely different problem. She had long shared her confidences and problems with her friend; had read the same statements and and was fired with a similar ambition. She, like her friend, was raised in an ordinary country family, had little education, very few of the world's blessings, but was fortunate in that her husband, though rather suspicious of "the reading of books," nevertheless was anxious that his wife should have "everything that would make her happy." hence was willing and agreeable to help her in every way he could.

In this family there was a strong facial feature which was highly disagreeable to both the husband and wife. Though married several years, they had avoided bringing children into the world for fear that these might inherit this undesirable characteristic. Reading the positive statement that "when a woman is pregnant, her whole desire should be to give to the world a perfect specimen of her maternal work" and that if she did so, "she could produce a superior specimen of the race," she received renewed hope and courage, then decided she would obtain all the information available and "follow through" by obeying all instructions.

She was instructed in all the general and specific information for her preparation to conceive. While thus preparing herself, she was firmly instructed not to give any thought to facial features, but instead to obtain pictures of both a boy and a girl with features such as she desired for her children. she was told to hang these where she would see them many times a day and NEVER TO FEAR DIFFERENTLY, BUT TO FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT HER CHILDREN WOULD REALLY BE SIMILAR.(7)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(7) This, the reader will recognize, follows the method practiced by Jacob to bring forth cattle such as he WANTED, AND BELIEVED POSSIBLE ring-streaked, speckled and spotted. - Genesis 30: 37-39.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

In due time, a normal, healthy little girl was born to Margaret E., its features were different, taking somewhat after the other features of the family, but as perfect as the pictures that hung on the wall of her home. Since then, three sons and another girl have been born to her, each minus the undesired feature of the family.

Both Clara F., and Margaret E., are evidence that the "mother is the sculptor capable of molding the mind and the features of her children."
|Top|

Every child, mentally, morally, physically and even spiritually, is the result of all that has proceeded; moderated or intensified by either the wisdom or the ignorance; the "goodness" or the carelessness, of the mother-to-be.

The child's temperament, in a great part, is determined before it is born; may be made wholly so by the wise and understanding mother-to-be. Even its possibilities and capabilities are charted, or may be charted, long before actual conception takes place. Irrespective of the training a child may receive after birth, the trail has already, knowingly or unknowingly, been blazed, and the tendencies toward a given end, unless modified by careful direction and training, will be followed.
|Top|

The brilliant, successful men and women, whatever their activities in life, have seldom been the result of education and environments alone, but of circumstances and experiences, consciously or unconsciously directed. It is said of Goethe, the great German poet, that he was a composite, or intermixture, of his parents.

His father was a well educated, proud, formal man, with uprightness of spirit, much fascinated by beautiful women. His mother was of a happy disposition with a deep love and great aptitude for telling stories. Mentally, she was as brilliant as her husband was proud and learned. She was vain in dress and proud of her ability for correct selection. The son was a "wanted" child; the characteristics of the parents blended; the son inherited, and in his own life, blended the qualities of the parents.
|Top|

"Wm. F. Cody, better known as `Buffalo Bill,' the hero of our own youth, greatly resembled his mother. He was as brave as he was honorable. He was born during the early days of Missouri, then a wild and ungoverned country. His mother had need to be brave and fearless, a trait from which honor is born.

"Early in his life, his father was assassinated, and his mother undertook, with success, to be both father and mother to him. Wm. F. Cody became in life the manifestation of the experiences of his father and mother; experiences and feelings impressed upon him during gestation, and after birth; feelings and experiences, and the reactions upon his mind and Soul, as the result of the life lived with his father and mother."
|Top|

An adverse illustration is that of Mary, Queen of the Scots. Before the birth of her son, who became James I, of England, she witnessed the plunging of steel into the heart of her secretary, and, what was even more unnerving, she was forced to listen to the wild ravings of his ignoble fear of death and who, bathed in his own blood, clung to her skirts for the protection he did not receive.

Her son, King James, never knew such a thing as tranquility. He was filled with conflicting emotions; inordinately timid, fainting even at the sight of blood; a tyrant and vindictive, as have ever been moral and physical cowards.

The horrible impressions upon the mind and heart of the pregnant woman became the pattern of an ignoble king; a man guilty in fact but not intent; because his destiny was shaped for him; the pattern drawn, before his mind possessed conscious ideas of his own.

The often repeated claim that environment, one's surroundings, are alone responsible for the difference in the life and actions of men is mostly a fallacy. It is admittedly true that the influences of environment are constantly at work from the moment of conception. These influences can be vastly modified for good or ill by the pregnant woman and these influences of environment prove the law governing Heredity, rather than otherwise.
|Top|

Heredity is the force or power which stamps upon the child a certain picture of being, and apparently foreordains that the child-in-the-making shall be in the likeness, and of the nature, of one or the other, or both the parents. The force of Heredity and prenatalism fixes the natural bent of the inner inclinations; education and environment develop this; the two together determine the capabilities and possibilities of man UNLESS modified or accentuated by the conscious and determined effort of the mother, with or without, the cooperation of the father.

Heredity is the mysteriously operating law which foreordains that the offspring shall be in the likeness of one, both, or a mixture of the parents. This is true in the animal world where there is no modifying influence; no law applicable to retard or advance the traits, shapes or tempers.

Heredity and prenatalism fix the natural bent or tendency in man-to-be; education and direction, plus environments, develop these traits or leanings; the two determining the possibilities of man. The Will, feeling, desire and active effort, on the part of the pregnant woman, may completely reverse heredity and natural tendencies, not to mention future possibilities.

Heredity, in so far as man is concerned, and we have only man in mind, has been made synonymous with fatalism, feeble-mindedness, insanity and viciousness. Admittedly, in the animal man, and unmodified, that is, heredity permitted full sway, would so result, but the mind of man, aided and abetted by true desire - that of heart and Soul - is capable of redirecting all the Laws of heredity and environment. This we know as Prenatal Culture.

If this were not true, then man would indeed be the plaything of vicious, inhuman, unfeeling nature and not in any way responsible to Law or God for what he is or does. Foolishly and illogically enough, the evils of man are accepted as the result of heredity, while the possession of virtue, morality, honorableness, graciousness, and even genius, are attributed to other and generally unknown influences. What utter nonsense and senselessness!

The potential influences of heredity may begin even before the union of the two cells, the spermatozoon of the male and the ovum of the female. The beginning of a new creation may be either animal or spiritual, or a balance of both. In the spermatozoon is the picture, the architectural drawing of the new being; be it a future Nazarene or a Hitler; in it also is imbedded the latency of tuberculosis, insanity, deformity; the genius or the Christos. But the spirit of the Christos may be turned into that of a satan or a modern Stalin; that of a potential inhuman beast into a Saint - all by the inner love and desire of the woman that will mold the body, and build virtue or vice into the mind. She it is who has the power to neutralize the virus of disease into the virility of powerful manhood or womanhood.

The minute speck we know as a spermatozoon is, in embryo, an individual who will, in time and space, become either a success or failure; temperate or a sodden drunkard; chaste and honorable or one given to license; depending almost altogether on the influences and the efforts brought to bear upon it by various means, both mental and physical, by the "molder of the clay," the mother-to-be.

The unappreciated fact, aye, wonder, to be considered is that two almost unperceivable cells can contain within their infinitesimal selves and convey from parents to child, not alone the racial peculiarities, but also the individual traits, weaknesses and strength or the one or both parents, as well as trace characteristics of generations before them.
|Top|

George Eliot made the cryptic remark that "Breed is stronger than pasture." Heredity is admittedly a powerful influence in the life of man, but, well understood and correctly directed, prenatalism is all-potent to neurtralize or offset the influences other than racial characteristics. Even these may be greatly modified.

In the animal kingdom, heredity all but completely governs and, in general, that is, in all but the exception, like produces like. But - is this true in the human family? If it is, how can you explain the differences so very marked within the same family?

Do we not frequently find one child of sunny disposition and altogether lovable; while the other is morose and even cruel, perhaps, at heart, a criminal?

Environment is unable to offer an explanation here, since the environment of both is identical; both of the same parents, born in the same house, under identical conditions, WITHOUT GREAT EXCEPTION, THE MOOD, THE INCLINATION, THE FEELING AND THE DESIRE OR THE MOTHER BEING THE GOVERNING FACTOR.

Heredity and PRENATALISM offer a key to the difference. Patient investigation would quickly prove this to be a fact.
|Top|

Why is there so much of the commonplace in the world? So much of the base and cruel? So much of the vicious and dishonorable? In reverse, so little of the beautiful and spiritual; of inner spiritual humility and native graciousness; so little of lovely kindliness and true fineness of human nature?

This question can be reversed and continued: Why are there so few really wanted children born into the world? Children, during gestation, should have all of the human warmth and the heart's love poured constantly over the developing embryo, like, if you will permit the homely comparison, the REALLY GOOD COOK BASTES THE ROASTS IN HER OVEN AND PROVES BY THE RESULTS ACHIEVED, THAT SHE IS A GOOD COOK.

It is not stretching the truth to say that hardly one out of every ten thousand children is conceived with "plan and desire aforethought. The others, that vast army of the unwanted are an "accident," each the result of a moment of seeking satisfaction of physical passion, often induced by an inflamed ovary or congested prostate. An ugly statement, but a truth with which all physicians are familiar. How can such a conception result in physical, mental and moral soundness and spiritual greatness?

Unfortunately, for Humanity as a whole - and this deeply concerns each and every one almost as much as though it were in our own household - the remaining nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety and nine are accursed with the gross accumulations of the sins, weaknesses and vices of the parents, who, themselves, because of IGNORANCE OF THE RIGHT WAY OUT, are weighted down to earth, wholly earthly, and who recoil with a sense of dissatisfaction, if not with downright antipathy, at the very thought of being plagued with an unwanted child. Thus, the coming of one of God`s little ones to all too many households is looked forward to with dread and doleful apprehension instead of what might be: THE ANTICIPATION OF A TRULY BLESSED EVENT; THE TALENTED SOUL TO HELP AND GUIDE HUMANITY TO A GREATER DESTINY.

With this certainty of actualities in mind, is it any wonder that we find so much weakness, sickness, suffering, viciousness, drunkenness, licentiousness, murder and rape among all classes? Is it to be wondered at that we find so little of actual purity, chastity, manhood and womanhood, honor - and that little understood but much-wanted generosity and graciousness of heart and Soul?

This treatise is prepared for those who up to now, have not believed in prenatal preparation, or the influence of heredity and who possibly have little faith in God or an absolute governing law. It is hoped that all these will be reminded rather pointedly of the ever-increasing number of institutions for either the training or imprisonment of the children who cannot be controlled in the home.

Most of these children were born with - as part of their make-up - the propensity to lie, steal or kill; or lean toward degrading practices and viciousness, all too ready to manifest themselves at the slightest provocation. These, now numbering into the millions, are naturally criminal. They have not learned of the world of evil by contact. Many of them have never been away from the farm, have lived in small communities, or remote places before being incarcerated in these institutions.
|Top|

It is necessary TO BE POSITIVE, and to realize that there is no such thing as chance in the life of man from the cradle to the grave. GOD'S LAW IS. IT IS EVER PRESENT AND CONTINUALLY OPERATING. IT IS AS CHANGELESS AS IS THE COURSE OF THE SUN. Were this not true, then there woud be neither God nor law. This law is active from the birth of the lowest to the highest from of life, as implied in the creation of "EVERYTHING AFTER ITS KIND."

Another way of saying this is to positively assert: "Everything according to its nature. The fig tree does not produce acorns; nor the apple tree, plums. Everywhere there is law; but man in his blindness either does not recognize its operation, or fools himself by believing that the Law can be circumvented or set aside.

The non-observance of Law, whether as the result of ignorance or defiance, enforces upon its violators the penalty of weakness and sickness; as well as mediocre or even criminal offsprings. Observance of law, not merely in letter, BUT IN THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW and with LOVING OBEDIENCE FOUNDED ON THE HEART'S DESIRE, clothes the newborn with the cloak of near perfection of form, feature, mentality and the possibility of achievement.

At present, the Divine Command "to multiply," the conception of children, with rare exception, IS NOT FULFILLED UNDER THE LAW - is mostly without the observance of a single principle of the Law. There is first, and most regrettable, neither desire nor plan for a child. There is not even a thought of preparation for body, mind and Soul by either parent. All is left to chance, and, as is often the case with games of chance, the dice are loaded.

The birth of a truly "love-child" is, indeed, rare. More often than not, the term is applied in derision to the child born out of wedlock - the so-called illegitimate child; but deny it as men will, these children are usually the superior children both in mind and body and, as history proves, have achieved the greatest success. This is not a plea for the birth of illegitimate children, but is a slur on the millions of legally wedded fathers and mothers whose progeny are inferior. At this point we may well ask mothers, the world over, the question: "How many of your children were conceived in affection and brought forth into the world with rejoicing?

We need not wait for the answer to this question. The answer is all too plainly manifested in the ever-increasing number of the lame, the halt, the blind, the dumb, the idiotic, the drunken, the degenerate and the vicious; all of them suffering because, in most instances, their parents made them what they are through disregard or ignorance of the Creative Law.
|Top|

It is well to ask prospective mothers in all sincerity and kindness: WHAT MANNER OF CHILD WOULD YOU GIVE BIRTH TO? Answer that question and there follows another, just as disquieting: Are you possessed of a conscience that may suffer from self-accusation? IF YOU HAVE - USE IT! Accept the statement as an uncontradictable, irrefutable fact, that all the missionaries in the world, all the reform societies and all the human aid societies cannot do as much during your lifetime to bring a savior into the world to help humanity, as can one mother during her nine months of prenatal effort, when she works in harmony with the law, in wise desire and loving effort.

There can be no denial that the mother during the silence of the night of nine months builds the "house not made with hands," which a Soul is to inhabit and that, unless modified by her desires and efforts, this body will take on the contour of either of the parents or an intermixture of both. This is demonstrated by Mendel's Law. If science admits this, and it does, and hence if physical heredity is beyond dispute, why should there be any room for doubt that there is also a Law governing mental and moral heredity? THE MOTHER CAN, IF SHE WILL, control the building of the brain cells as surely as she can the body cells. The brain structure, determines the child's ability, or the lack of ability.

The positive statement is repeatedly made so far to impress all who run and read, that tendencies which might be or would be, inherited, can be greatly modified, and in many instances, completely changed, by the feelings and desires of the mother-to-be during her pregnancy. Under the Law it is entirely possible that a heart-reformed Magdalene can become the mother of a Saint.

The child born to ordinary parents may, by force of the Will power of the mother, based on desire and affection, be converted into a great and lofty Soul or a genius. How sorrowful, then, for women endowed with intellect and culture, and the power of choice, to bring into the world a mentally small, physically puny, miserable, unfit, feeble child! Dr Randolph was correct when he so positively stated that: "Every breath should be a protest against the horrible injustice of casting a human being into the world with barely enough of the fires of life to keep it from going out, because most human reproduction is the result of pure, unadulterated selfishness or downright base passion. "The human race, up to the present, almost as a whole, springs from the indulgence of individual pleasure WITHOUT THE SHADOW OF A THOUGHT OF THE RESULTS OF SUCH PLEASURE."

Most humans, unfortunately for themselves and the world as a whole, are the "accidents of passion." Such offspring pay the penalty; but worst of all, man continues blindly to follow in the footsteps of his progenitors, giving as little thought to the Laws underlying proper procreative methods as did they.
|Top|

For the guidance of those sincerely interested, the period during which the mother-to-be may transmit influences to her offspring has been divided into three divisions:

1. Preparatory period.
2. Gestatory Period.
3. The nursing period.

In a brief treatise of this nature, it is impossible to give even a condensed consideration to states and conditions of periods before marriage.(8) Among these states and afflictions are the hereditary taints of cancer, consumption, syphilis, insanity, mental states which develop into imbecility, the epileptic, the would-be suicide, the pathological drunkard and the degenerate, all of them marrying and "given in marriage." What present known factor is there to prevent the gradual extermination of humanity; more especially that portion that would be worth saving - the SANE portion?
-------------------------------------------------------------
(8) See Race Regeneration; The Mystery of Sex and Eulis, both books by Philosophical Publishing Company, Quakertown, Penna. The first of these is now obtainable in English, Spanish and Portugese languages.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Man learns his lessons slowly and painfully, and frequently only as the result of loss or suffering, or by being brought face to face with unpleasant facts such as will shock him into a realization of his mental imbecility. Improvement of the human race is one of the most important subjects that can engage man's consideration. But what has man done? Has he not given to it the least thought of all subjects clamoring for his attention? Instead of becoming a co-creator with God and helping to create man in "His (God's) own image," he has ignored human creation entirely, but has given attention to animal husbandry, taking real pride in winning prizes for new or better stock.

What breeder of stock would be so utterly foolish as to select animals weak and diseased, and with numerous faults, to parent either new stock, or stock with which to "lord it over other breeders" through the winning of prizes? Is it not a foregone conclusion, by anyone who has given the matter any thought, that he will select his choicest horses or cattle in his attempt to outclass other breeders? Is he not likely to exercise the most meticulous care in feeding and rearing these prize animals? MOST CERTAINLY! But, strangely enough, where his offspring are concerned, there is not a care, not a thoght, not even any indication of a desire that they be superior. WHAT A TRAVESTY ON THE MOST SUBLIME RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES VOUCHSAFED TO MAN - THAT OF "BRINGING FORTH" A SUPERIOR RACE!
|Top|

If at all possible, the preparatory period should extend over several months, or even a year. This period should, first of all, be governed by a keen desire for what is to be; of careful thought and planning. Every thought, desire and act should be as carefully scrutinized as when one is selecting material for the building of a beautiful home, only more carefully.

Everything that is undesirable, everything that will not contribute to the welfare or benefit of the mother-to-be and her maternal progeny should be eliminated. This includes alcoholic drinks, tobacco, foods and liquids not conducive to her health and well-being; unsavory stories or conversation; profanity; in short, everything that is detrimental to the body or degrading to the mind and finer feelings. These should be sacrificed, without exception, because all of them will have a profound influence upon the ego in the ovum which is to give life to the seed.
|Top|

Careful thought and mature discussions should be adopted by the prospective parents as a means of determining the qualities, characteristics and habits they wish to transmit to their offspring. If such qualities are not a part of themselves, they must be built into the ego by desire and Will and in that manner made as much a part of it as though they belonged to the parents. THIS IS THE VITAL SECRET FOR THE CREATION OF SUPERIOR CHILDREN. If, as an instance, as so often is the case, one is given to untruths - not vicious, but, nevertheless, inclined to stray from the facts, - this must be brought within reason.

All too many parents debase the unborn child's nature by falsehoods continually voiced with the solemnness of truth. Later, these same parents bewail untruthfulness in the child, wondering by what means, or in what manner, the child could have developed into such a profound prevaricator.

This weakness of untruthfulness in the parents is a trait that may readily be transmitted to the child in embryo. When one or the other of the parents is given to fibbing, every statement should be carefully considered before it is given voice until the weakness is overcome. This way of overcoming undesirable traits must be followed in every respect, whether these take the form of nursing feelings of hatred, malice, resentment, selfishness, or any other ignoble quality. Every trait, whether noble or ignoble, is transmittable to the unborn child. REMEMBER: The fruit of the tree is after the nature of the tree.
|Top|

As an example, here is an instance of the manner in which undesirable attributes in parents combine to produce criminal-mindedness in the offspring.

In this case the father was large of build, strong of mind, willful, headstrong and positive. He was not given to any grave sins; was considered a moral man although stubborn and unforgiving of an injury. Aggressive, opinionated, he considered his family, church, and his politics as the only right ones, There was neither thought nor intent in his mind to commit a wrong or a crime - he was, in short, a moral man.

The wife, a genuinely good-natured woman, but possessed of a violent temper that erupted at the slightest provocation, and just as quickly subsided, leaving her mentally depleted. To this union was born a child - a boy, and in this boy were united the strong, positive, unforgiving nature of the father and the quick, explosive temper of the mother, without the slightest tendency in his nature toward tenderness, compassion or forgiveness. The result was a cold, calculating nature; a criminal tendency with complete lack of control.

At nine years of age, he was placed in an institution; at nineteen he almost killed a man and was placed in a State's prison. Friends were puzzled and wondered greatly why such upright, moral parents should be accursed with such a wayward son.

Was the son actually to blame?

The reader can doubtless call to mind the well-known Biblical statement: "Evil must come into the world, but woe unto him through whom it cometh."

How many who think themselves guiltless are actually free from this stigma, even though not consciously guilty?
|Top|

If one or both of the parents in preparing for a child, lack order or system, corresponding penalties will be imposed by law and nature. It is therefore of the utmost importance that during this period of preparation every effort be made to cultivate neatness, system and orderliness. This effort should be continued throughout the entire period of gestation until it becomes a fixed habit. Order - and let us not for a moment forget this, is THE FIRST LAW OF NATURE. ORDER IS HEAVEN'S FIRST LAW. Order is the bridge leading into heaven; into the haven of peace and self-satisfaction. Order of thought, action; orderliness in appearance of person and surroundings; constitute the first step toward success in any endeavor; whether this be the creation and bringing into being of a child, or of a new universe.
|Top|

A sane and sensible commercial trait should be cultivated. Money should be recognized as something to exchange. There should be saving where practical, but never hoarding. All plans should be made with the thought of saving money intelligently but never at the expense of quality. Whatever money must be spent should be spent cheerfully and with full satisfaction; NEVER with a thought of regret.

Nothing must be done in a miserly spirit or with a feeling of resentment that others possess more abundantly then we. Neither should one harbor a desire to possess the things belonging to others. Rather, we should cultivate the feeling that it would be well to possess things of a like nature with perfect readiness and willingness to make an effort to earn them. Such a feeling is both legitimate and desirable and builds into the brain cells the possessive nature the desire to labor and achieve.
|Top|

A case in point: We had known Mrs. S., very well, for a long period of time and our association with her had always been very pleasant. She was not a cultured woman in any sense of the term. Born of common, ordinary, even mediocre, but honest parents, she had little education; was barely able to read, but possessed a heart of gold, an all-inclusive affectional nature, and a deep sympathy for every suffering creature.

She was married to a man who was much the opposite of herself: cold, critical, unfeeling, with little affection and of a positive nature - even cruel at times. He had little belief in God and it is questionable whether he recognized any law except his own desires. It is certain that, to him, "nature was nature," and sex was for one purpose only. As for such a thing as prenatal culture, that was just plain foolishness, a lot of prattle and nonsense for the weak-minded. Added to his other undesirable qualities, he was cruelly abusive at times.

Mrs. S. became pregnant and, despite the fact that she was shown little affection by her husband, actually rejoiced in the fact that she was to become a mother and one would frequently hear her hum some homely folk-tune while she went about her household duties.

To us who knew her well, there was nothing, except her own affectional nature, and the fact that she was happy to be with child, that could possibly have been, in any sense, favorable for the child. However, during her entire period of gestation she did not once permit herself to be perturbed by conditions about her, by the sacrifices and they were many - she was forced to make, the affections which were refused her, but lived in the thought and anticipation of her coming child.

She lived normally as to food, had plenty of exercise doing her daily tasks, but lacked pleasurable recreation. IT MIGHT BE SAID IN TRUTH THAT, DENIED ALL THE AFFECTIONS A WOMAN CRAVES, SHE LIVED WITHIN HERSELF AND WITH THE EXPECTATION OF BECOMING THE MOTHER OF A NORMAL, HEALTHY AND - CERTAINLY, ON HER PART - A DESIRABLE CHILD.

A boy was born. he was affectionate, positive and gentle. He worshiped his mother; respected but feared, his father. He grew to manhood with deep respect for law and order; engaged in the work of reconstruction and today is known the world over.

This mother did not possess sufficient prenatal knowledge to even give a thought to what she wanted her son to be. All she knew was that she wanted the child. She gave this child all her silent affection; nurtured him at her bosom, and thought this inborn affection CHARTED HIS COURSE. To her it did not matter what his business or profession might be, all she wanted WAS A LOVING SON; and her constant, silent, inward prayers were answered.
|Top|

Mrs. T. was of an entirely different type. She became a patient during the early years of our practice and at a time when Dr. Randolph was our hero, his books a text second only to the Bible. That is to say, in modern parlance, we were completely "sold" on his ideas.

Mrs. T. was a strong-minded, strong-willed woman. She was somewhat embittered and her affections almost entirely suppressed for the reason that she had married a man younger than herself, a man well-born but weak-willed.

There was little doubt he loved his wife, but was actually afraid to permit his feelings to manifest themselves in her presence, though in fact, and wholly unknown to him, this was what she most wanted.

Their "love-embraces" were naturally sporadic and without display of affection. She became pregnant and now, more than ever, despised her husband, failing to recognize that a little display of affection on her part would have at once called into play all the affection for her which the husband repressed.

When we first saw her she was bitter with the strong inclination to avoid motherhood if possible. Here was an instance wholly unfavorable to the unborn child.

Shortly after her pregnancy she felt that she could not, in her own words, "bear it any longer." She came to us for sympathy and advice. The entire problem was discussed and we pointed out to her that unfavorable for the child as the entire situation appeared to be, it was in her power to give birth to a perfect child, physically, mentally and spiritually, as perfect as any child ever born, if she were willing to follow instructions to the letter and in the proper spirit.

She agreed to do this and we proceeded to explain to her that her strong-mindedness filled her husband with fear of her, that this willfulness on her part was actually a masculine trait and that, during her pregnancy, at least, it should be replaced by affection; even for her despised husband, and certainly for the child to which she was to give birth.

She was told that all the affection she had suppressed, and which caused her to have these bitter feelings, should now find an outlet in her feelings for the forthcoming child. She proceeded to make these changes within herself.

Almost unconsciously, and certainly imperceptibly, her husband was drawn to her; and his own affections, so long repressed, were at first timidly conveyed to her and then the child. Peace and understanding followed; the child was welcomed almost as a savior and, after maturity, became renowned in his chosen field of activity. His name, if mentioned, would be known to most of our readers.

Love was here born out of resentment and bitterness. Success was achieved in the face of conditions that had all the indications of failure. In this instance, as in the former, the mother, before pregnancy, and later, when with child, had not even a thought of what her child was to be; all she wanted, was to become the mother of a real man, or an ideal woman.
|Top|

Undoubtedly, a vital question in the minds of most married couples who are to become parents, or plan to do so, is: What trade or profession shall we select for the child? Shall it be that of a merchant, diplomat, author, musician, chemist, architect minister or priest, physician or lawyer, or shall it be a farmer to help feed the world?

Admittedly this is a most difficult and perplexing problem; especially so because there can be no certainty whether the child will be male or female. This uncertainty being a fact, the fundamental desire should be for true greatness in the child, irrespective of its sex.

This "greatness" includes all the noble and desirable qualities men and women should, and can possess. ONE THING IS A CERTAINTY, THE MOTHER-TO-BE MUST FEEL WITHIN HERSELF ALL OF THE NOBLE EMOTIONS AND THE DESIRABLE QUALITIES SHE DESIRES HER OFF-SPRING TO POSSESS. This is the key to greatness in her children.

The ordinary and commonplace in a woman cannot produce the extraordinary in her children. However, another fact equally true is this: the mother need not actually possess any of the knowledge she would wish to convey to her offspring; nor is it necessary that she be in actual possession of any of the great, noble virtues she envisions for her unborn child. She is able to transmit and convey these attributes and talents to the child if she will but learn to feel and to desire these things to be part of the birthright of the child-to-be.

IMAGINATION IS FAR GREATER THAN POSSESSION. With out the imagination awakened in man's mind, men, and women too, would still be living in caves and caverns. A powerful imagination, because based on the strongest of all emotions - love - can almost unbelievably influence the unborn child being nurtured within the woman's bosom. LET US NOT FOR A MOMENT FORGET THIS.

To be more specific, let us suppose that the parents-to-be desire their child to be an inventor, although they themselves, know nothing whatever about inventions. They may, by study, thought and desire, cultivate the requirements of an inventive genius. They can, and should, affirm, believingly, that the child is developing a brain capable of inventing wonderful and useful things for the future. They should go further than this, and make a realistic study of treatises on inventions and allied subjects, read the biographies of inventors, and if possible, attend lectures on the subject of inventions.

An Edison was not a mere incident; many more Edisons are yet to be born. Moreover, the term "inventor or inventing" is a generic one. Everything new, in whatever avenue of the activities of life, is actually an "invention." One cannot go wrong in working along the lines suggested and the possibilities are unlimited.
|Top|

If at all possible, parents should work in harmony with each other during the period of gestation. They should agree on one certain idea or desire, and having proceeded thus far, plan carefully what the child is to be; fully comprehending this one great Law: NATURE CAN NEVER INSERT, SUPPLEMENT OR ADD TO, A QUALITY OR A TALENT, AFTER BIRTH.

The process of bringing into the world children of a desired type, whatever the classification may be, is DEPENDENT UPON TRYING, WITH THE WHOLE MIND (DESIRE) AND SOUL (FEELING) during the months of gestation. First the imagination must be brought into activity in forming the ideal of the child-to-be. Imagination in turn gives way to desire and desire is followed by effort; EFFORT BRINGS INTO FRUITION AND MANIFESTATION THE RESULT FIRST IMAGINED AND THEN DESIRED.
|Top|

The mother of a Mozart is required to possess two distinctive qualities: (a) a true, deep, sincere love for music at its best; for the music which is not altogether of this world, but "out of the spheres; (b) be of a religious nature; not merely subscribing to a formal belief of God, but inspired by a feeling that is deeper than belief or faith; something that is. Why?

Because of the all-important fact: although Mozart "wrote" music, or composed music, he did far more than this; he would sit silently and listen; and, as he listened with a keen sense of devotional peace that drowned out all exterior sounds, he would "hear" the music from the spheres; and, hearing, would write down the notes as he heard them.

To transmit these qualities or talents it was necessary for the mother to envisage them, and personify them, in her daily life. These qualities being active within her, developed the brain of the growing child within her bosom so that he would be born with these faculties. LOVE, WHICH IS DESIRE IN ITS HIGHEST FORM, is truthfully said to be able to "OVERCOME ALL THINGS.

IF LOVE IS GOD, OR GOD IS LOVE, then we will readily be able to understand that there is no limit to what can be accomplished if undertaken in love; and what greater love can there be than that of a mother for her child, born or unborn.

It is unquestionably true that the majority of the parents of the greatest men and women the world has ever known were not themselves renowned for the qualities their children displayed. They simply, as the result of the operation of the absolute law, consciously or unconsciously, projected these qualities into their offspring. It is certain, however, that men of genius are almost invariably born of parents who possessed markedly strong characters along some one direction, or who, as a result of deprivations or suffering, developed some special desire so strong as to almost completely dominate their thoughts or inclinations along some one direction.

True, genius has been generally considered as abnormal because many of the men whom the world considered as geniuses were actually more or less off balance; subject to hallucinations, epilepsy, some slight form of insanity or chronic morbidity; hence genius has been considered undesirable despite the Edisons and Steinmetzes.

In these instances where morbidities were present, who is there competent to prove that genius developed because of either physical or mental illness? On the contrary, it is entirely probable that they inherited both the genius and the ailment, whether mental or physical. Were we to limit genius to those suffering from some form of mental or physical abnormality, we would thereby limit God and we know that even puny man is limited only to the degree that he limits HIMSELF.
|Top|

The sexive principle and instinct in the human creature is in practically every respect diametrically opposite from that in the non-human kingdom. To obtain the proper concept of sex and its relation to other than the creative instinct, one must recognize that it has, in all but the lowest of the human species, a base in both the love and the affectional nature, and in addition, the devotional (sometimes termed the "religious" nature.

Once this is understood, it is easy to conceive the power which desire, a mentsl faculty, combined with love, a heart emotion, has over the unborn. These forces, wisely directed, control the destiny of the child before it is born and almost forever thereafter.

In the organic kingdom outside of the human, and even in the undeveloped human, the sexive or creative instinct is blindly obeyed. Self-seeking there, as in all else, and not propagation, is the all-powerful motive, if there actually is motive, other than urge.

All living creatures, aside from man, whether bears or horses, cats or dogs, fishes or flies, or any other living thing possessed of gender, invariably are not concerned with self-reproduction, or propagation of the species, until such instincts appears; by which time Nature has brought new instincts and passion into play, This being true, the paralleling of man to animal, as is so frequently done by the materially minded, is neither correct nor just.

In animals sexive, and parental instincts are distinctly separate. In man - at least in the morally developed man - they coexist. In animals the offspring and parents separate at maturity. In the human, an affectional relationship is maintained not only throughout life, but even into the beyond of life.

Frequently we are told that animals obey the impulse once a year, or in season, and that man should do likewise. These materialists forget, if they ever knew, that in the deeper sense, sexive expression is also the highest affectional or love expression. In true love it is secondary to passional release. Man expresses his love for woman by the true marital embrace as he does his love and devotion to God by prayer.

The lower type of man is governed more by the instinct or biological urge; the beast. Some men, at least up to a given point, risk all for the satisfaction of the urge. They display little or no affection, and care not in the least for the consequences; leaving that to nature and the abused woman.

Woman and nature then, do the best they can with the material at their command. The average man - and this explains why humanity almost as a whole is what it is; as well as "man's inhumanity to man," has an insatiable "urge" to satisfy himself, or more correctly speaking, the "irritation," for such it is, and this is all he cares for at the time. While consequences are more or less foreseen, some sort of provisions are generally made; for men, even of the lower type, marry and mate, while beast only mate.

The unfortunate part for the welfare of mankind, as a whole, is in the fact that rarely do the participants even those who believe themselves truly in love, consciously and willingly create a new being. In the animal world, one hour seals the origin of the progenal result; and the men mark the time, knowing to a day when to expect the new animal.

It is lamentable, unquestionably a shame upon mankind, that almost all of the members of the human species have been brought into being accidentally, rather than the result of a planned effort. Births, for the most part, are most unhappy events, hence the misfortunes, maladies and the inhumanities of the races. Stirpiculture, or the propagation of superior children, will never succeed as a result of selection alone. This must be left to the practice of the agricultural stock farm and barnyard principles.
|Top|